Good test kit?

toku58 · 03/21/2014, 01:27 PM

Is this a good kit to have?

What do you guys recommend?

cloak · 03/21/2014, 01:30 PM

For ammonia, nitrite , nitrate, & pH, there all pretty much the same IMO. (you might not ever use these again) For crucial things like alkalinity, calcium, & magnesium, Salifert & Red Sea seem to be pretty popular.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

thegrun · 03/21/2014, 01:34 PM

For starting up a new tank the API Master Test Kit is inexpensive and will test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH. They are not the most accurate kits available but since you will rarely need to test for ammonia and nitrites after you cycle they are good enough. Down the road if you plan on keeping corals look for Salifert, Elos or Red Sea Pro test kits for magnesium, calcium and perhaps alkalinity; a Hanna Checker for phosphates and perhaps alkalinity and a refractometer for salinity. I prefer Salifert, but Elos and red Sea test kits are both fine to use.

CoralReeForrest · 03/21/2014, 02:55 PM

Salifert mag cal and Alk tests can all be had on amazon for good prices I got all 3 for 54 dollars and that was with shipping! Def get a refractometer as was said.

ReeferMark · 03/21/2014, 03:13 PM

+1 on the Refractometer....much more accurate than the swing-arm types.
I use the Hanna for Phosphates & Calcium. Salifert for just about everything else.

toku58 · 03/21/2014, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the input guys! I'll look into a Refractometer. Any brand in particular?

Slacker300z · 03/21/2014, 05:39 PM

I have used the Sera test kits and love them. The fish store I worked at uses them.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...st%2Caps%2C274

CoralReeForrest · 03/21/2014, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toku58

Thanks for the input guys! I'll look into a Refractometer. Any brand in particular?

Brs sells a good one with atc on it. Get that and the calibration fluid.

toku58 · 03/21/2014, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoralReeForrest

Brs sells a good one with atc on it. Get that and the calibration fluid.

Do you happen to have a link? So it needs to be calibrated?

salajander · 03/21/2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toku58

Do you happen to have a link? So it needs to be calibrated?

This is the one, with calibration fluid.

inetmug · 04/23/2014, 11:18 PM

So basically for a FOWLR I only need to check for ammonia, nitrite , nitrate, & pH?

calcium and alkalinity are only for corals?

03/21/2014, 01:27 PM	#1
toku58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 334	Good test kit? Is this a good kit to have? What do you guys recommend?

03/21/2014, 01:30 PM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	For ammonia, nitrite , nitrate, & pH, there all pretty much the same IMO. (you might not ever use these again) For crucial things like alkalinity, calcium, & magnesium, Salifert & Red Sea seem to be pretty popular. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

03/21/2014, 01:34 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	For starting up a new tank the API Master Test Kit is inexpensive and will test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH. They are not the most accurate kits available but since you will rarely need to test for ammonia and nitrites after you cycle they are good enough. Down the road if you plan on keeping corals look for Salifert, Elos or Red Sea Pro test kits for magnesium, calcium and perhaps alkalinity; a Hanna Checker for phosphates and perhaps alkalinity and a refractometer for salinity. I prefer Salifert, but Elos and red Sea test kits are both fine to use.

03/21/2014, 02:55 PM	#4
CoralReeForrest Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Redding,Ca Posts: 1,010	Salifert mag cal and Alk tests can all be had on amazon for good prices I got all 3 for 54 dollars and that was with shipping! Def get a refractometer as was said.

03/21/2014, 03:13 PM	#5
ReeferMark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Palos Hills, Il. Posts: 64	+1 on the Refractometer....much more accurate than the swing-arm types. I use the Hanna for Phosphates & Calcium. Salifert for just about everything else.

03/21/2014, 05:33 PM	#6
toku58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 334	Thanks for the input guys! I'll look into a Refractometer. Any brand in particular?

03/21/2014, 05:39 PM	#7
Slacker300z Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Simsbury CT Posts: 43	I have used the Sera test kits and love them. The fish store I worked at uses them. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...st%2Caps%2C274

04/23/2014, 11:18 PM	#11
inetmug Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 693	So basically for a FOWLR I only need to check for ammonia, nitrite , nitrate, & pH? calcium and alkalinity are only for corals?